Distal perfusion sheath

ABSTRACT

A distal perfusion sheath (DPS) is provided for cases where blood perfusion is needed for downstream arteries (distal) to the insertion point of the DPS within the target artery. The ability to provide distal perfusion with the DPS allows the DPS to be positioned in the target artery for long periods without causing lack of blood flow (ischemia) to an extremity that the target artery supplies. In embodiments, the DPS can still be used for surgical arterial access while allowing blood flow downstream.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation in part of Non-provisional Application Ser. No. 13/548,458 filed Jul. 13, 2012 that claims priority benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/507,492, filed Jul. 13, 2011 and U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/510,786, filed Jul. 22, 2011; the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention in general relates to arterial sheaths and method for surgical deployment thereof, and in particular to a vascular sheath that facilitates blood perfusion to a distal artery thereby preventing ischemia to the extremity the artery supplies.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As endovascular procedures become more complicated, the procedures often take longer to perform and often require larger sheaths to be in a patient's arteries for extended periods of time. However, larger surgical sheaths impair blood flow to a distal extremity and can cause injury to the nerves and muscles. In addition, after prolonged lack of blood flow (ischemia) the extremity is at risk for re-perfusion injury once the sheath is removed that can increase muscle compartment pressures (compartment syndrome), which can result in muscle necrosis and amputation.

Thus, there exists a need for a vascular surgical sheath that allows continued blood flow past the insertion point of the sheath, while the sheath is in place, to an extremity downstream to the sheath. There further exists a need for a process for usage of such a sheath to inhibit compartment syndrome.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An inventive distal perfusion sheath (DPS) is provided for cases where blood perfusion is needed for downstream arteries (distal) to the insertion point of the DPS within the target artery. The ability to provide distal perfusion with the DPS allows the DPS to be positioned in the target artery for long periods without causing lack of blood flow (ischemia) to an extremity that the target artery supplies. In specific embodiments, the DPS is used for surgical arterial access while allowing blood flow downstream. In addition, embodiments of the DPS configured with longer perfusion shunts can allow a contra-lateral extremity downstream to a large DPS to have blood flow while the sheath is in place.

Embodiments of the DPS have at least 2 lumens, one for arterial access and an outer expandable lumen for blood flow into the perfusion shunt. The outer lumen that feeds blood or other fluids is expanded once the sheath is in the artery. The outer lumen is expanded by injecting fluid into scaffolding that expands the lumen. The outer lumen allows arterial blood to flow through a perfusion shunt that is attached to the external distal end of the sheath. The end of the perfusion shunt may then be inserted into an artery downstream (distal) to the sheath providing blood flow to the extremity. The insertion of the perfusion shunt can be accomplished by making a small incision (arteriotomy) in the artery just below the sheath. The end of the perfusion shunt is then placed into the artery and secured with a vessel loop. The insertion of the perfusion shunt into a distal portion of the artery allows continued blood flow into the artery downstream from the sheath. At the end of the surgical procedure the perfusion shunt is removed and the incision in the distal artery is repaired.

In an embodiment, in cases that require large specialized sheaths, downstream flow can be provided by placing a distal perfusion sheath in the opposite extremity artery. The distal perfusion sheath can be small enough to allow continued blood flow to the downstream extremity. The perfusion shunt can then be inserted into the artery just below the opposite sheath to provide blood flow to the opposite extremity.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The subject matter that is regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention are apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of an inventive distal perfusion sheath (DPS) device;

FIG. 1B is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the device of FIG. 1A along line 1B-1B;

FIG. 1C is a cross-sectional view of the device of FIG. 1A along line 1C-1C;

FIG. 1D is a cross-sectional view of an alternative device of FIG. 1A along line 1C-1C where the inner lumen for arterial access and an outer expandable lumen are eccentric;

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of an artery prior to the insertion of a sheath;

FIG. 2B is a perspective view of an artery with a conventional prior art sheath inserted, and the resultant impaired blood flow in the artery;

FIG. 2C is a perspective view of an artery with the inventive distal perfusion sheath inserted, prior to inflation of channels for distal perfusion;

FIG. 2D is a perspective view of an artery with the inventive distal perfusion sheath inserted, and the distal perfusion channels inflated to allow blood flow past the sheath;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an inventive distal perfusion sheath configured with multiple guidewires in the sheath;

FIGS. 4A-4D are a series of cross-sectional views of the device of FIG. 3 along line 2-2 illustrating the unlocking and repositioning of a guidewire from amongst the three guidewires in the sheath:

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an inventive distal perfusion sheath configured with an aperture in the sheath to allow blood flow downstream past the point of insertion in an artery;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an inventive distal perfusion sheath configured with a shunt tube in the sheath to allow blood flow downstream past the point of insertion in an artery;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an inventive distal perfusion sheath configured with vents in the form of a series or array of holes in the sheath to allow blood flow downstream past the point of insertion in an artery; and

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the inventive distal perfusion sheath of FIG. 7 inserted in an artery.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

An inventive distal perfusion sheath (DPS) provides blood perfusion to the artery downstream (distal) to the insertion point within the artery. The ability to provide distal perfusion with the DPS allows the DPS to be positioned in the artery for long periods without causing lack of blood flow (ischemia) to an extremity that the artery supplies. In embodiments, the DPS can still be used for surgical arterial access while allowing blood flow downstream. In addition, embodiments of the DPS configured with longer perfusion shunts can allow a contra-lateral extremity downstream to a large DPS to have blood flow while the sheath is in place.

Embodiments of the DPS have at least 2 lumens, one for arterial access and an outer expandable lumen for blood flow into the perfusion shunt. The outer lumen that feeds blood or other fluids is expanded once the sheath is in the artery. The outer lumen is expanded by injecting fluid into scaffolding that expands the lumen. The outer lumen allows arterial blood to flow through a perfusion shunt that is attached to the external distal end of the sheath. The end of the perfusion shunt may then be inserted into an artery downstream (distal) to the sheath providing blood flow to the extremity. The insertion of the perfusion shunt can be accomplished by making a small incision (arteriotomy) in the artery just below the sheath. The end of the perfusion shunt is then placed into the artery and secured with a vessel loop. The insertion of the perfusion shunt into a distal portion of the artery allows continued blood flow into the artery downstream from the sheath. At the end of the surgical procedure the perfusion shunt is removed and the incision in the distal artery is repaired.

In a specific embodiment, in cases that require large specialized sheaths, downstream flow can be provided by placing a distal perfusion sheath in the opposite extremity artery. The distal perfusion sheath can be small enough to allow continued blood flow to the downstream extremity. The perfusion shunt can then be inserted into the artery just below the opposite sheath to provide blood flow to the opposite extremity. The inventive sheath is readily constructed with biocompatible polyurethane materials, with possible metal, or Nitinol reinforcement. It is appreciated that an inventive sheath optionally and readily incorporates substances such as radio opaque marking compounds on the catheter for accurate positioning such as barium sulfate; slip agents for smooth artery entry such as hydrophilic gels sold under that tradename GLIDEX®; anticoagulants such as heparin; sustained release drugs such as antibiotics and plaque formation inhibitors; and combinations thereof.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, an inventive distal perfusion sheath (DPS) is depicted generally at 10. The DPS 10 includes an inner lumen 12 for arterial access and an outer expandable lumen 14 for blood flow into the perfusion shunt 24. The outer lumen 14 is expanded following the insertion of the DPS 10 into an artery V (FIGS. 2A, 2C, and 2D) by injecting fluid through port 20 with control valve 22 to inflate scaffolds 26 as depicted in FIGS. 1B, 1C, 1D, and 2D. FIG. 1C is a cross-sectional view of the device of FIG. 1A along line 1C-1C where the inner lumen 12 for arterial access and an outer expandable lumen 14 are concentric with the scaffolds 26 evenly distributed along the circumference of the inner lumen 12. FIG. 1D is a cross-sectional view of the device of FIG. 1A along line 1C-1C where the inner lumen 12 for arterial access and an outer expandable lumen 14 are not concentric with the scaffolds 26 positioned primarily to one side. The scaffolds 26, which do not obstruct blood flow, expand the outer lumen 14 until the outer dimensions of outer lumen 14 contact the inner diameter of the artery V, regardless of whether a concentric or eccentric embodiment is in usage. Hemostatic port 16 controls blood flow in the inner lumen 12, and allows for insertion of a catheter, guide wire, camera, or other surgical device into the artery V. Flush port 18 controls fluids in the inner lumen 12. While the inner lumen 12 and outer lumen 14 are depicted as being concentric in FIG. 1C, it is appreciated that asymmetric placement or expansion of scaffolds 26 affords an eccentric arrangement of inner lumen 12 and outer lumen 14, as shown in FIG. 1D, where like numeral have the meanings previously ascribed thereto.

FIG. 2A depicts an artery V prior to the insertion of a sheath. Prior to the insertion of a sheath blood flow 32 is relatively unimpeded from proximal end A to distal end B. In FIG. 2B, a conventional sheath 34 is inserted in artery V with a resultant impairment of blood or fluid flow 32 from proximal end A to distal end B. In a similar manner in FIG. 2C, an embodiment of the DPS 10, with the perfusion shunt 24 not deployed, is inserted into artery V with an impairment of blood flow 32 from proximal end A to distal end B. However, as shown in FIG. 2D with the opening of the outer lumen 14 blood flow 32 commences from proximal end A to distal end B through perfusion shunt 24, the perfusion shunt 24 inserted into the distal portion of artery V through incision 28. Thus as shown in FIG. 2D with the DPS 10 fully deployed (outer lumen 14 open) and perfusion shunt 24 inserted in the distal portion of artery V, blood flow is rerouted beyond the DPS 10.

FIGS. 3 and 4A-4D illustrate an embodiment of a distal perfusion sheath (DPS) 40 employing multiple guidewires (42 a, 42 b, 42 c) for implementations where simultaneous guidewire access to multiple target arteries is required without disrupting blood flow to a distal bodily extremity that the artery supplies. An engagement system (44 a, 44 b, 44 c) independently secures the one or more guidewires within the sheath of the DPS 40 to maintain the separate positions of the guidewires. The engagement system (44 a, 44 b, 44 c) is a series of wire-lock engagement points (44 a, 44 b, 44 c) positioned along for example, the circumference of an inventive sheath. Selection of a guidewire is made with a rotating hub 46 with a hemostatic port 16 at the center.

In operation, the rotation of the hub 46 at the distal end of the DPS allows the slit 48 of the hemostatic port 16 to line up with a desired wire-lock (44 a, 44 b, 44 c) of the engagement system to allow the guidewire to be positioned in and out of the wire-lock. When the locked guidewire is to be used in the main sheath lumen or inner lumen 12 of the DPS 40, the hub 46 is rotated to line up the valve-slit with the guidewire in the wire-lock. The lock is opened releasing the guidewire which is then moved through the valve-slit to the center hub of the hemostatic valve and then used in a conventional manner in a target artery. Following the usage of the unlocked guidewire, the guidewire is returned through the valve-slit to the wire-lock to be reengaged. The wire-lock when closed secures the guidewire in place preventing it from being dislodged while the main inner lumen 12 of the sheath is used with other guidewires. The hub 46 may then be rotated to line up the valve-slit 48 with another wire-lock to access a different guidewire for serving the same or different target artery.

FIGS. 4A-4D are a series of cross-sectional views of the DPS device 40 of FIG. 3 along line 2-2 illustrating the unlocking and repositioning of the guidewire 42 b. In FIG. 2A, all three of the guidewires (42 a, 42 b, 42 c) are secured or locked to the engagement system (44 a, 44 b, 44 c). In FIG. 2B, the rotating hub 46, which is free to rotate either clockwise or counter-clockwise as indicated by the bidirectional arrow 50, is rotated to position the slit 48 to line up with engagement 44 b, and the guidewire 42 b is unlocked from engagement 44 b and moved inward toward the hemostatic valve seal port 16 in the center of the rotating hub 46. In FIG. 2C, the guidewire 42 b is now positioned within the hemostatic valve seal port 16, and the guidewire is now free to move back and forth, or be twisted, along the longitudinal axis C-C of DPS device 40. In FIG. 2D, the guidewire 42 b is returned to engagement 44 b, and locked in place. The rotating hub 46 and corresponding slit 48 are now free to be rotated to another of the engagement 44 a or 44 c for using guidewires 42 a or 42 c, respectively.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an inventive distal perfusion sheath 60 configured with an aperture 62 in the outer wall 64 extending to the sheath lumen 66 of the inserted portion 68 of the distal perfusion sheath 60 to allow blood flow 32 downstream past the point of insertion 70 in an artery V. The distal perfusion sheath 60 minimizes the impairment of blood flow 32 in the artery V, without the need for a second incision in the artery V for a shunt, such as for the perfusion shunt 24 of FIG. 2D or FIG. 3. Hemostatic port 72 controls blood flow in the sheath lumen 66, and allows for insertion of a catheter, guide wire, camera, or other surgical device into the artery V.

The distal perfusion sheath 60 is readily constructed with biocompatible polyurethane materials, with possible metal, or Nitinol reinforcement. It is appreciated that an inventive sheath optionally and readily incorporates substances such as radio opaque marking compounds on the catheter for accurate positioning such as barium sulfate; slip agents for smooth artery entry such as hydrophilic gels sold under that tradename GLIDEX®; anticoagulants such as heparin; sustained release drugs such as antibiotics and plaque formation inhibitors; and combinations thereof. It is noted that a single guidewire or multiple guidewires as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4A-4D may be used with the distal perfusion sheath 60 for implementations where simultaneous guidewire access to multiple target arteries is required without disrupting blood flow to a distal bodily extremity that the artery supplies.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an inventive distal perfusion sheath 80 configured with a shunt tube 82 in fluid communication with the sheath lumen 84, the shunt tube 82 extending from the inserted portion 86 of the distal perfusion sheath 80 to allow blood flow downstream past the point of insertion 88 in an artery. The distal perfusion sheath 80 minimizes the impairment of blood flow 32 in the artery V, without the need for a second incision in the artery V for a shunt, such as for the perfusion shunt 24 of FIG. 2D or FIG. 3. Hemostatic port 89 controls blood flow in the sheath lumen 84, and allows for insertion of a catheter, guide wire, camera, or other surgical device into the artery V.

The distal perfusion sheath 80 is readily constructed with biocompatible polyurethane materials, with possible metal, or Nitinol reinforcement. It is appreciated that an inventive sheath optionally and readily incorporates substances such as radio opaque marking compounds on the catheter for accurate positioning such as barium sulfate; slip agents for smooth artery entry such as hydrophilic gels sold under that tradename GLIDEX®; anticoagulants such as heparin; sustained release drugs such as antibiotics and plaque formation inhibitors; and combinations thereof. It is noted that a single guidewire or multiple guidewires as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4A-4D may be used with the distal perfusion sheath 80 for implementations where simultaneous guidewire access to multiple target arteries is required without disrupting blood flow to a distal bodily extremity that the artery supplies.

FIGS. 7 and 8 are perspective views of an embodiment of an inventive distal perfusion sheath 90 configured with a vent 92 in the form of a series or an array of holes in the outer wall 94 extending to the sheath lumen 102 of the distal perfusion sheath (DPS) 90 to allow blood flow 32 downstream past the point of insertion 104 in an artery V. The arrangement of the small holes in the series or array of holes that make up the vent 92 prevent inadvertent placement of a guidewires (J-tip) in the wrong direction out of the sheath 90 in the artery V. The distal perfusion sheath 90 minimizes the impairment of blood flow 32 in the artery V, without the need for a second incision in the artery V for a shunt, such as for the perfusion shunt 24 of FIG. 2D or FIG. 3. The sheath 90 may be placed by cut-down or percutaneous into a patient's artery.

In order to stabilize the sheath 90 in position, a dilated portion of the sheath above the vents forms a sheath anchor 96 that acts to secure the sheath in an intended position. The sheath anchor 96 is proximate to the insertion point 104, and keeps the distal perfusion sheath 90 intravascular. The placement and maintaining the position of the DPS 90 is critical, and if the vents 92 are positioned outside the artery, significant blood loss may occur. Additionally, the sheath anchor 96 prevents movement of the sheath 90 when passing guidewires and catheters that may displace the sheath 90 repositioning the vents 92 extravascular. The sheath anchor 96 widens when the sheath 90 is intravascular, and the blood pressure deploys the sheath anchor bladder 96 around the sheath 90. The widening of the sheath anchor 96 secures the vented part of the sheath intravascular preventing bleeding from an extravascular vent position. The valve 100 is used to deflate the sheath anchor bladder 96 for removal of the sheath 90.

A sheath depth indicator 98 provides feedback for the proper placement of the distal perfusion sheath 90. During initial placement of the sheath 90, when the sheath 90 is inserted in the artery up to the internal end 981 of the indicator 98 blood will begin to come out the external indicator port 98E. The exiting blood from external indicator port 98E shows the user that the proper insertion depth for the sheath 90 has been arrived at, and that the distal perfusion vents 92 and anchor 96 are intravascular. The sheath depth indicator 98 provides for percutaneous sheath placement. Hemostatic port 106 controls blood flow in the sheath lumen 102, and allows for insertion of a catheter, guide wire, camera, or other surgical device into the artery V.

The distal perfusion sheath 90 with vents 92 is readily constructed with biocompatible polyurethane materials, with possible metal, or Nitinol reinforcement. It is appreciated that an inventive sheath optionally and readily incorporates substances such as radio opaque marking compounds on the catheter for accurate positioning such as barium sulfate; slip agents for smooth artery entry such as hydrophilic gels sold under that tradename GLIDEX®; anticoagulants such as heparin; sustained release drugs such as antibiotics and plaque formation inhibitors; and combinations thereof. It is noted that a single guidewire or multiple guidewires as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4A-4D may be used with the distal perfusion sheath 90 for implementations where simultaneous guidewire access to multiple target arteries is required without disrupting blood flow to a distal bodily extremity that the artery supplies.

The foregoing description is illustrative of particular embodiments of the invention, but is not meant to be a limitation upon the practice thereof. The following claims, including all equivalents thereof, are intended to define the scope of the invention. 

1. A sheath for insertion into an artery, said sheath comprising: a lumen having an outer wall; the outer wall defining an aperture, the aperture on a portion of said sheath configured for insertion into the artery and providing blood flow from a proximal portion of the artery through said lumen and the aperture to a distal portion of the artery.
 2. The sheath of claim 1 further comprising at least one of: a catheter, a guide wire, or a camera entering said lumen and in fluid communication with the artery.
 3. The sheath of claim 1 wherein said lumen further comprises a hemostatic port; said hemostatic port controlling blood flow in said lumen, and is configured to accept at least one of: a catheter, a guide wire, or a camera.
 4. The sheath of claim 7 wherein said lumen has a vent therein.
 5. The sheath of claim 1 further comprising a valve.
 6. The sheath of claim 1 wherein further comprising at least one guidewire within said lumen to afford simultaneous guidewire access to a target artery without disrupting blood flow to the distal portion of the artery.
 7. A sheath for insertion into an artery, said sheath comprising: a lumen; and a shunt tube in fluid communication with said lumen, said shunt tube extending from an inserted portion of said sheath into the artery to allow blood flow to a distal portion of the artery downstream of a point of insertion of said sheath into said artery.
 8. The sheath of claim 7 further comprising at least one of: a catheter, a guide wire, or a camera entering said lumen and in fluid communication with the artery.
 9. The sheath of claim 7 wherein said lumen further comprises a hemostatic port; said hemostatic port controlling blood flow in said lumen, and is configured to accept at least one of: a catheter, a guide wire, or a camera.
 10. The sheath of claim 7 wherein said lumen has a vent therein.
 11. The sheath of claim 7 further comprising a valve.
 12. The sheath of claim 7 wherein further comprising at least one guidewire within said lumen to afford simultaneous guidewire access to a target artery without disrupting blood flow to the distal portion of the artery.
 13. A sheath for insertion into an artery, said sheath comprising: a lumen having an outer wall; a sheath anchor bladder that secures the position of said sheath in the artery; the outer wall defining a plurality of apertures, the plurality of apertures on a portion of said sheath configured for insertion into the artery and providing blood flow from a proximal portion of the artery through said lumen and the plurality of apertures to a distal portion of the artery.
 14. The sheath of claim 13 wherein said plurality of apertures are arranged in an array.
 15. The sheath of claim 13 further comprising at least one of: a catheter, a guide wire, or a camera entering said lumen and in fluid communication with the artery.
 16. The sheath of claim 13 wherein said lumen further comprises a hemostatic port; said hemostatic port controlling blood flow in said lumen, and is configured to accept at least one of: a catheter, a guide wire, or a camera.
 17. The sheath of claim 13 wherein said lumen has a vent therein.
 18. The sheath of claim 13 further comprising a valve.
 19. The sheath of claim 13 wherein further comprising at least one guidewire within said lumen to afford simultaneous guidewire access to a target artery without disrupting blood flow to the distal portion of the artery.
 20. The sheath of claim 13 further comprising a depth indicator for determination of the proper insertion position of said sheath in the artery. 